Visually, the Gran Coupe is essentially a normal 6-Series Coupe with an extra set of doors – and that’s no bad thing. The major details, such as the flowing hood creases that converge on the BMW badge, the wide kidney grille and the sinking character line aft of each front wheel, all work harmoniously together to create a look that is at once athletic and elegant.
The cabin also bears a marked similarity to the two-door 6-Series. The center console is canted slightly towards the driver and features relatively few buttons (the latest version of iDrive controls entertainment, climate control and nav), a leather dashboard with French stitching flows into the central armrest and a
With a wheelbase stretching 4.4 inches longer than its two-door sibling, the Gran Coupe boasts a healthy amount of rear seat legroom. Unlike some other players in the four-door-coupe segment, the Gran Coupe can accommodate three passengers in back.
Potent Powertrains
Three models will be offered to North American customers initially, beginning with a twin scroll turbo six-cylinder model badged 640i at launch. Shortly thereafter, rear and all-wheel-drive versions powered by a twin turbo V8 will arrive as 650i and 650i xDrive Gran Coupes, respectively.
The 640i makes use of BMW’s N55HP coded six-cylinder, which features the company’s TwinPower Turbo tech with direct injection and variable valve timing. Officially, it puts out 315 horsepower between 5,800 and 6,000 rpm and 330 lb-ft. of torque from 1,300 to 4,500 rpm. BMW says the engine allows the car to hit 62 mph in just 5.4 seconds before it tops out at a governed 155 mph.
The added power gives rear-drive 650is a 0-62 mph sprint time of just 4.6 seconds, while fuel economy is expected to be somewhere around 27 mpg on the European cycle. Interestingly, the xDrive version is actually slightly quicker to 62 mph – it requires 4.5 seconds, despite some additional weight.
Regardless of engine, BMW will offer the 6-Series Gran Coupe with an eight-speed automatic. A manual transmission is not currently on its options list.
To save fuel, both engines feature auto start/stop and electric power steering.
Ultimate Driving Machine
BMW says its 6-Series Gran Coupe is more than just a looker thanks to a lightweight aluminum double wishbone/multilink suspension setup. An optional Active Roll Stabilization system works with the standard Dynamic Damper Control to limit body lean in corners. Eighteen-inch alloy wheels with runflat tires are standard, as is a Driving Dynamic Control switch that offers Comfort+, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Eco Pro modes at the touch of a button. Each mode offers a different driving experience tailored to the user’s demands.
Also available is an Integral Active Steering System that allows the rear axle to take part in the steering process, allowing for greater high-speed stability in addition to a tighter turning circle in parking and city use.
Available on the options list of the Gran Coupe are items such as a Surround View parking camera system, Parking Assistant, BMW Night Vision with pedestrian recognition, a Lane Departure Warning System and Active Blind Spot Detection along with the BMW Head-Up-Display. The latest incarnation of this system projects vital information onto the windshield in full color. For audiophiles, the Bang & Olufsen High-End Surround Sound System provides what BMW describes as “a feast of aural pleasure seldom experienced inside a car.”
The Gran Coupe comes standard with a navigation system with a large 10.2-inch high definition display bordered by a galvanized chrome surround.
M Sport Package
Those looking to add an extra bit of aggression to their Gran Coupe can select the M Sport package, which brings an M aerodynamics package with uniquely designed front fascia, side skirts and rear fascia. The M Sport package also includes exhaust tips in black chrome, black-painted brake callipers, LED foglamps, a sports exhaust system for the BMW 650i Gran Coupe and 19-inch light-alloy wheels in M double-spoke design. 20-inch light-alloy wheels in M double-spoke design are also available as a package upgrade.
Key Competitors
As a so-called four-door-coupe, the 6-Series Gran Coupe faces competition from the sporty Audi A7 and the slightly larger Jaguar XJ as well as the car that created the segment, the Mercedes-Benz CLS.
Basic Specs
| Base Price | $76,000 |
| Drivetrain | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Curb Weight (lbs) | 4191 |
| City (MPG) | TBD |
| Hwy (MPG) | TBD |
| Horsepower | 315@5800-6000 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 330@1300-4500 |
| Wheelbase | 116.9 |
| Length (in.) | 197.2 |
| Width (in.) | 74.6 |
| Height (in.) | 54.8 |
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